Raiders coach Antonio Pierce will not handle Davante Adams commerce hypothesis

Raiders coach Antonio Pierce channeled his internal Invoice Belichick on Wednesday, delivering his personal model of “We’re on to Cincinnati” after being requested repeatedly about star vast receiver Davante Adams‘ standing with the workforce.

“Davante’s coping with a hamstring (harm),” Pierce stated. “He is rehabbing, and the remainder of us are specializing in Denver.”

The Raiders go to the Broncos on Sunday at 4:05 p.m. ET (on FOX and the FOX Sports activities app), and whether or not Adams can be on the flight to Denver could be very a lot an open query given this week’s developments. He may miss his second recreation in a row with a hamstring harm, however a number of stories have stated he needs out of Las Vegas and that the Raiders could be keen to accommodate such a request.

The primary actual trace of a possible divorce occurred Tuesday when Adams went on the “Up and Adams Present” and stated he hadn’t heard from Pierce for the reason that coach appeared to love a social-media submit about probably buying and selling Adams.

Present host Kay Adams expressed shock when instructed that Pierce hadn’t reached out to Adams.

“Yeah, I do, too,” Davante Adams stated in response.

Pierce would not say whether or not he and Adams have spoken since Tuesday.

“That is between me and Davante,” Pierce stated.

Even earlier than this week, Adams’ identify usually got here up in commerce rumors as a result of his wage cap hit rises dramatically subsequent yr. There is also a query of whether or not the Raiders may need to purchase belongings for a possible rebuild.

Adams stays one of many NFL‘s high receivers, even at practically 32, due to his exact route working and talent to catch passes, even whereas double-teamed. He caught 103 passes final season for 1,144 yards and eight touchdowns. It was his fifth 1,000-yard season in six years, damaged up solely by the 997 yards Adams had in 2019. He has caught 18 passes for 209 yards and a landing in three video games this season.

The variety of high quality seasons Adams might have left may give doable suitors pause, but when a contending membership is searching for a lacking piece for a possible Tremendous Bowl run, he could possibly be fairly tempting.

A deal, after all, would largely rely upon what the Raiders would ask in return, and so they gave up a serious haul in 2022 to get Adams. Las Vegas despatched the Packers first- and second-round picks in that yr’s NFL draft and made Adams the highest-paid receiver on the time with a five-year, $140 million contract, with practically $66 million assured.

His subsequent and remaining two years are usually not assured. Adams’ salary-cap hit rises from $25.35 million this season to $44.1 million every of the following two years, in line with Spotrac.

The NFL commerce deadline is Nov. 5, so there may be time to work out a deal, however the longer Adams stays on the roster additionally may create a distraction for the Raiders.

Pierce, nevertheless, downplayed whether or not Adams’ presence could be a problem.

“We’re targeted on Denver,” he stated.

Crosby standing unsure

Defensive finish Maxx Crosby missed his first profession recreation Sunday when the Raiders beat the Cleveland Browns 20-16 and there is been no dedication on whether or not he’ll play in Denver.

Crosby performed a number of video games late final season with a knee harm, however Pierce stated the membership can be extra cautious this time.

“If you consider final yr, the harm occurred later within the season,” Pierce stated. “We’re scratching and clawing attempting to get within the playoffs. Now it is early. You’ll be able to make the most of the early a part of the season. Get him wholesome. We have a bye week within the center. On the finish of the day, my job is to guard Maxx Crosby from Maxx Crosby. If it was as much as Maxx, he could be out at apply each day and each recreation.”

Tight finish Michael Mayer, who has been away since final week for private causes, has not returned. Pierce did not have an replace on his standing.

Reporting by The Related Press.

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